From: Vingrau, Cotes Catalanes, Languedoc-Rousillon, France
Varietal: Cinsault & Grenache
Taste: This wine is a vibrant, juicy red with a delightful aromatic profile. On the nose, it bursts with notes of wild strawberries, raspberries, and red currants, accompanied by subtle hints of crushed violets and a touch of Mediterranean herbs. The wine is light-bodied yet expressive on the palate, offering flavors of ripe red cherries, cranberries, and a delicate, refreshing spice. Carbonic maceration ensures a silky-smooth texture with low tannins and a bright, zippy acidity. The finish is clean and refreshing, leaving a lingering impression of juicy red fruit and a hint of minerality.
Pairing: This pairs beautifully with various Mediterranean dishes, showcasing its vibrant fruit, low tannins, and refreshing acidity. From Spain, Pan con Tomate, with its grilled bread and juicy tomatoes, and Escalivada, a smoky medley of roasted eggplant, peppers, and tomatoes, highlight the wine’s bright, fresh character. For seafood lovers, Calamares a la Plancha, lightly grilled squid drizzled with olive oil and lemon, is an excellent match, while the bold and savory Chorizo a la Sidra, spicy sausage simmered in cider, pairs wonderfully with the wine’s fruit-forward profile and acidity that cuts through the dish’s richness.
From the French Mediterranean, the wine complements Ratatouille, the Provençal vegetable classic, with its earthy, sweet flavors, and Pissaladière, a savory flatbread topped with caramelized onions, olives, and anchovies, where the wine’s juicy fruit balances the dish’s salty richness. Finally, a traditional Bouillabaisse, with its aromatic saffron-infused broth and variety of seafood, is elevated by the wine’s lively acidity and fresh red fruit notes.
Chorizo a la Sidra
Omar Allibhoy
About. Domaine Gardiés is a celebrated winery located in the Roussillon region of Southern France, an area that has increasingly gained recognition for its exceptional wines. This estate is in Vingrau, a picturesque village surrounded by limestone cliffs and the garrigue-covered landscape that characterizes much of Roussillon. It is here, amidst the Mediterranean climate and diverse soils, that the Gardiés family has carefully cultivated vineyards for generations.
The story of Domaine Gardiés began as a family-owned estate that passed through multiple generations. However, in the early 1990s, the domaine began to carve its identity as a leading name in the region. Jean Gardiés took over the estate during this period and significantly changed the vineyard practices and the winemaking approach. Jean’s passion for quality, terroir-driven wines elevated Domaine Gardiés into prominence, positioning it as a benchmark for the wines of Roussillon. Under his leadership, the domaine shifted towards more sustainable and organic farming methods, driven by a deep respect for the land and the expression of its unique terroir.
The vineyards of Domaine Gardiés span approximately 30 hectares, split across two distinct terroirs: the limestone and clay soils of Vingrau and the schist slopes of Espira-de-l'Agly, located closer to the Agly Valley. This geographical diversity allows for the cultivation of multiple grape varieties, which thrive under the Mediterranean sun and the cooling influence of the Tramontane wind. Vingrau is particularly well-suited for white grape varieties such as Grenache Blanc, Grenache Gris, and Macabeu. At the same time, the schist soils of Espira-de-l'Agly are ideal for red varieties like Grenache Noir, Carignan, Syrah, and Mourvèdre.
Wine Notes: "On s'en Fish" is made entirely from organically farmed Cinsault and Grenache grapes. These two classic Mediterranean varieties thrive in Languedoc, France's warm climate and diverse soils. The vineyards are cultivated with a deep respect for the land, adhering to organic farming principles to preserve soil health, biodiversity, and the true expression of the fruit. Cinsault brings a light, perfumed quality to the wine, while Grenache adds vibrant red fruit flavors and a soft, juicy texture.
The Languedoc’s terroir—marked by a combination of limestone, clay, and gravel soils—provides the ideal environment for these grapes to ripen fully while retaining their freshness. Additionally, the influence of the Mediterranean climate, with its warm days and cooling breezes, enhances the fruit’s aromatic potential and balance.
The wine undergoes carbonic maceration, a winemaking technique that involves fermenting whole clusters of grapes in a sealed, carbon dioxide-rich environment. This process allows the fermentation to begin inside the berries, creating aromatic, fruit-forward, and delightfully vibrant wines, with minimal tannin extraction. Carbonic maceration is particularly well-suited to Cinsault and Grenache, highlighting their fresh, juicy fruit characteristics while preserving their natural brightness.
The result is a wine with immediate drinkability and a lively, youthful energy. This fermentation method makes "On s'en Fish" both refreshing and approachable, perfect for those seeking a lighter red wine that can be enjoyed slightly chilled.